News

In line with the public health guidance advising employees to work from home unless it is necessary to attend the workplace in person, Revenue has reviewed the treatment of the following tax matters:  

• The BIK exemption for Covid-19 testing and flu vaccination will continue for 2022 and will be provided for on a statutory basis following the enactment of the Finance Bill 2021.  
• COVID 19 BIK concessions on employer provided vehicles and the use of company cars by employees in the motor industry will remain in place while the public health guidance to work from home remains in place (e.g. the amount of business kilometres travelled in January 2020 may be used for the purpose of calculating BIK during the period of the Covid-19 restrictions where the employee retains private use of the vehicle). Once the guidance is lifted, BIK will apply in the normal manner.    
• Where an employer pays for a taxi to transport an employee to or from work due to health and safety concerns, the BIK exemption will continue to apply for now but will be subject to review by 30th June 2022.  
• The concession of allowing more than one voucher or benefit to be given under the Small Benefit Exemption will continue for 2022. It applies where the additional award is related to an employee’s exceptional efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and where the employee continued to work during the restricted period. 
• The COVID 19 BIK concession in respect of employer provided temporary accommodation will be retained for 2022 on the basis that temporary means a continuous period of no more than 3 weeks.
• Transborder Workers’ Relief – the concessionary treatment will continue to apply for the period of time in 2022 during which public health guidance in the State, or in the country where the duties of employment are normally performed, requires individuals to work from home.  

For further information – https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/ebrief/2021/no-2252021.aspx